How to Master the Physical Patterns That Control Your Life

“During exercise, the brain produces pain-killing chemicals called endorphins and enkephalins. Certain endorphins and other brain chemicals release in response to exercise also produce a natural high.”
--Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th edition,
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

How are you sitting as you read this? Are you sitting up straight with shoulders back and neck aligned properly? Or are you slumped over with your chest caved in? How do you feel?

I’ll bet the person who is sitting up straight feels better than the slumper. And if you straightened up as you read these words, I’ll bet you felt better as soon as you moved.

Our bodies are meant to move. We live in this wonderful, natural machine, with all the units and parts synchronized to move perfectly in tune with each other.

Sitting in one position for a long period of time is not a good thing.

Your body does not like this.

To totally master this important component of gaining control over your life, you need to think about how you treat and move your body.

How you carry yourself is crucial to how you will feel during the day and how you will experience your life.

If you wake up too tired every day because you didn’t get enough sleep, you are probably going to move slowly for the rest of the day, too tired to carry yourself properly.

Did you ever see someone walking with their head down, their steps slow and their whole bearing suggesting a withdrawn person?

We assume this person is sad or tired or not feeling well.
But what actually came first? The feeling of sadness or the way the person is carrying themselves? Perhaps what we interpret as a sign or symptom is actually the cause of the sad mood or the bad feelings that person is experiencing.

Your body needs you to do the following:

1. Feed it properly.
2. Drink lots and lots of water.
3. Move. A lot.
4. Laugh.
5. Rest. Take breaks during the day.
6. Sleep. Make this a priority.

Straighten up.

Smile. Even if you don’t mean it at first.

Your whole body feels differently when you do this. Walk a little faster. Swing your arms.
And just for kicks, skip.

How long has it been since you skipped? Remember skipping when you were young? There is something wonderfully uplifting about skipping and smiling, and of course, the best—laughing.

Moving your body in a healthy, happy way affects everything in your life. You send the message to your brain that you are happy and healthy.

Your brain takes that signal and turns it into reality.

You start feeling happier. You start feeling more energetic.

You start feeling the strong urge to move your body in a healthy way--walking, exercising, dancing and swinging your arms a little more when you walk.

You send healthier thoughts to every part of your body and it changes your mental and physical outlook completely.

Tune in to your body.

Your body will tell you what is going on if you just listen.

Give it some help. Carry yourself proudly. Challenge yourself to have better posture. Smile more.

Mentally you will be telling your body you are happy, and physically you give your body the same message. It is all connected. It is all working to help you live an outstanding life.

“The closest thing to a magic bullet for maintaining youth and optimal health is a well-balanced combination of exercise and proper nutrition. The entire body benefits from this formula, both physically and psychologically.”
--Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th edition
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC